An assortment of original music awaits audience members on Sunday, as the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center presents the Best of SAW Showcase.
For those who are unfamiliar, SAW is the Songwriters’ Association of Washington, a nonprofit organization founded in 1979 to benefit aspiring and professional songwriters in the District and metropolitan area.
Christylez Bacon, Margot MacDonald, Dulcie Taylor and Sol Roots are four of the area’s singers-songwriters. Together they comprise several musical genres that mark the evening’s performance. Pop, hip-hop, country, reggae, Latin, funk and raw blues are all delivered from the voices, instruments and compositions of these artists.
For showcase director Lynne Revo-Cohen, becoming a member was easily one of the best moves she ever made.
| Onstage |
| Best of SAW Showcase |
| Where: Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW |
| When: 6 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: Free; 800-444-1324; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org |
“I joined SAW probably eight years ago and was shortly thereafter asked to be on their board,” said Revo-Cohen, herself a composer and music producer. “It was the best decision I made in my music career because it got me directly to other musicians and people that could help me. I’m not a performer, and so I rely on the talented people who can do the singing and the recording. SAW has really been my lifeline for that.”
Revo-Cohen points out that SAW is not a union, but rather an organization that provides networking opportunities, while conducting workshops on a variety of topics, such as the “business of music.”
“We have writers’ tool box sessions,” she explained. “We will often invite someone who has made it in the business from our region to talk about the craft of writing music.”
Professionals also teach the elements of structuring a song and how to communicate with listeners through lyrics. The business sessions deal with getting the composers’ music out there. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities to perform at open mics and clubs around town.
On Sunday, each of the performers gets ten minutes to sing two or three of their songs. They can also bring an instrument or a band with them. The finale will feature all four of the artists singing a surprise song that, no doubt, will encourage the audience to sing along.
“There is incredible talent in the D.C. region,” Revo-Cohen noted. “And being active in an organization like SAW, helps [composers] to succeed.”
